Prosecution to Begin Cross Examination of McDonnell

Prosecutors will begin their cross examination today of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in the federal corruption trial against him and his wife Maureen. Bob and Maureen McDonnell are charged with accepting $177,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for official acts to promote the company’s dietary supplement.

Prosecutors must prove that McDonnell’s office provided concrete benefits to Williams, unavailable to the general public. The former Governor contends that his office did nothing beyond what it would do for any other Virginia business.

They’re also likely to attack efforts by the defense to prove that the McDonnell’s marriage was in trouble. Attorneys for the former first couple argue that the two were barely communicating and therefore could not have conspired.